JP2002085390A - X-ray facility - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the transfer of data and/or energy via a mechanical interface between a holder and a C-shaped arm. SOLUTION: An X-ray device 1 includes first data and/or energy transfer means 23 to 26 and 30 positioned at the C-shaped arm 9 or instruments 10, 11 and 12 and connected to the instruments 10, 11 and 12, and second data and/or energy transfer means 21, 22 and 31 positioned at the holder 8 or an instrument unit case 4 connected to the holder 8, with data and/or energy transferred in a contactless and continuous fashion between the first data and/or energy transfer means 23 to 26 and 30 and the second data and/or energy transfer means 21, 22 and 31.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a C-arm X comprising at least one electrically driven device arranged on a C-arm which is displaceable relative to a holder.
The present invention relates to an X-ray facility having a X-ray device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An X-ray source and an X-ray receiver are arranged on a C-arm which can be displaced relative to a C-arm holder connected to a device unit case of a C-arm X-ray apparatus. . Usually, the X-ray installation additionally comprises an independently configured display unit connected to the C-arm X-ray device via at least one cable. In such an X-ray installation, the energy for operating the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver and all the energy transmitted between the X-ray source, the X-ray receiver and a data processing device arranged, for example, in a display unit Is transmitted via a transmission line.

[0003] To transfer energy to the electrically driven equipment located on the C-arm via a mechanical interface between the holder and the C-arm, or
For the transmission of data between a device arranged on a profiled arm and an electrically driven device (eg a data processing device) arranged on a device unit case or a display unit, for example, DE 197 43 215 A1. , A so-called cable module is provided in the holder. The cable module comprises a cable wound on and unwound from a drum, via which an X-ray source and an X-ray receiver and possibly a C-arm are arranged, and an electrical connection is made to the cable. Energy is supplied to other equipment driven by the X-ray source, and data is transmitted between the X-ray source, the X-ray receiver and, for example, a data processing device via this cable.

In this way of transmitting energy and data via a mechanical interface between the holder and the C-arm of the X-ray device, a cable module is required in the C-arm X-ray device, in particular in the holder. The disadvantages are the structural space and the relatively large mass of this cable module of more than 52 kg.

[0005]

It is an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray installation of the kind mentioned at the beginning which simplifies the transmission of data and / or energy via a mechanical interface between the holder and the C-arm. Is to be configured.

[0006]

According to the present invention, the object is to provide at least one electrically driven device arranged on a C-arm which is displaceable relative to a holder; First arm and / or first data located on or within these devices and connected to these devices
Or a C-arm X-ray device comprising energy transmission means and second data and / or energy transmission means arranged in or in a holder or in or in an equipment unit case connected to the holder. Wherein the transmission of data and / or energy between the first data and / or energy transmission means and the second data and / or energy transmission means takes place in a contactless manner and The problem is solved by an X-ray facility in which the transmission takes place continuously. The transmission of data and / or energy between the first data and / or energy transmission means and the second data and / or energy transmission means in a contactless manner occupies the structural space and of the X-ray device It is not necessary to use a cable module that increases the mass. Thus, the transmission of data and / or energy via the interface between the holder and the C-arm is significantly simplified. Furthermore, in the case of the present invention, the transmission of data and / or energy can take place continuously while the C-arm is displaced relative to the holder, and in some cases additional X-ray devices No temporary storage or storage of costly data and / or energy is required.

Furthermore, by transmitting data and / or energy via a mechanical interface in a contactless manner, it is possible to hold them as simply as possible, so that a C-arm with at least one device is provided. Are created in a relatively simple manner, without being interrupted by data and / or energy transmission means, for replacement or exchange with another C-arm.

[0008] From U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,415, there is known a computed tomography apparatus which is rotatable about a center of rotation and has a gantry having an X-ray system. In this device, measurement data is temporarily stored in a data memory which rotates with the gantry during scanning, and this data is transmitted to the fixed unit of the computed tomography apparatus without contact via the data transmission unit when the gantry is stopped. . Therefore, data transmission is not performed continuously.

[0009] DE-A-198 37 442 discloses the transmission of data from a rotating part carrying an X-ray source and an X-ray receiver to a fixed part which is fixed relative to this rotating part. A computer tomography apparatus which performs contactlessly by a transmitting and receiving device is described.

[0010] German Patent No. 4207007 describes a computed tomography apparatus in which data is transmitted from a rotating part to a fixed part by means of a rotary current coupling device. The current coupling device has an annular rotating disk provided with a wiring conductor that is in contact with a fixed-position signal pickup.

German Patent Application DE 195 33 819 discloses an apparatus and a method for communicating at high data rates in a computed tomography system. In this device, the coupler is fixed to the fixed part, and the coupler is placed close enough to the transmission path of the fixed part and applied to establish a wireless coupling between the fixed part and the rotating part. Transmit the modulated signal.

Further, German Patent Application Publication No. 43036
No. 43 has a large number of instruments, each of which has a C
A data transmission node equivalent to the AN protocol is attached,
X-ray equipment is described in which these data inputs and data outputs interact with other transmission nodes via transmitters or receivers. The transmitter and the receiver of the at least one data transmission node are configured for contactless transmission of data. Contactless transmission of data then seeks to ensure faster and more reliable data transmission.

[0013] An article "Virtual Cable" by Wiefried Brassna, Design and Electronics, 02/99, pp. 16-18, includes:
A wireless data transmission system operating according to the DECT standard is described.

DE-A-196 46 607 discloses a method and a device for processing an X-ray cassette with a data memory in the correct sequence. In this case, the sensor checks whether the data memory of the cassette is at a specific position relative to the sensor at a specific time.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second data transmission means comprise at least one of the signal carriers.
One transmitting device and / or at least one receiving device. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting device is an infrared transmitter, the receiving device is an infrared receiver, or the transmitting device is a wireless transmitter and the receiving device is a wireless receiver. The use of a signal carrier transmitting and receiving device for data transmission enables a particularly easy-to-use contactless data transmission.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the contactless transmission of data and / or energy is performed inductively. According to a further alternative embodiment, the first and second data and / or energy transmission means comprise at least one coupling coil. This inductive coupling also
Any suitable method of transmitting data and / or energy via a mechanical interface between the C-arm and the holder. The coupling coil of the second data and / or energy transmission means may be arranged in particular on the holder of the C-arm X-ray device, while the coupling coil of the first data and / or energy transmission means may be particularly C-shaped. It may be arranged along the arm. When the C-arm is displaced relative to the holder, the coupling coils are moved relative to one another, the coupling gap of the coupling coil being kept substantially constant during this displacement, so that the data and / or energy Reliable transmission takes place via the coupling coil.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the contactless transmission of energy is performed by microwaves. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first energy transmission means comprises at least one component comprising a microwave transmission medium, and the second energy transmission means comprises a microwave operating in cooperation with this component. It has an oscillator. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmission medium has a dipole, for example water, and the component is a water-filled plastic tube. If the first energy transmission means comprises such a water-filled plastic tube, this plastic tube is arranged in a C-arm, and the C-arm moves inside the holder when the C-arm is displaced relative to the holder. Move relative to the microwave oscillator, which is disposed at a location such that microwaves are transmitted from the microwave oscillator to the transmission medium. Since the microwave is finally transmitted via the transmission medium to the device connected to the plastic tube, the device is supplied with energy after the microwave has properly exited from the plastic tube.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the first energy transmission means comprises at least one waveguide,
The second energy transmission means comprises a microwave oscillator cooperating with the waveguide. In this embodiment, the microwave oscillator feeds the microwave into the waveguide, which is transmitted to equipment connected to the waveguide,
Again, the instrument is energized after the appropriate emission of the microwave.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the equipment unit case is configured as an equipment trolley, and the equipment can be an X-ray source, an X-ray receiver, or a camera attached to the X-ray receiver.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the X-ray equipment has a second equipment unit comprising data processing means and at least one display device. In the case of an X-ray installation with a C-arm X-ray device, the second equipment unit forms a so-called display unit, whose display device has a C-arm.
An X-ray image obtained by the arm X-ray device is displayed.

In order to avoid cabling between the X-ray device and the second equipment unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second equipment unit likewise has no data of the X-ray device. A contactless transmission means for data that cooperates with the contact transmission means (particularly, the contactless transmission means for the first data);

In an embodiment of the present invention, the means for contactless transmission of data of the second equipment unit is at least one device for transmitting and / or receiving a signal carrier,
The transmitting device can be an infrared transmitter, the receiving device can be an infrared receiver, or the transmitting device can be a wireless transmitter and the receiving device can be a wireless receiver. In this way, in particular, the compatibility is ensured by the first data transmission means of the X-ray device, so that the data transmission between the second equipment unit and the equipment arranged on the C-arm is not necessarily the second data transmission. It need not be done via transmission means.

It is known from US Pat. No. 5,231,653 to transmit image data of a C-arm X-ray apparatus to a data processing apparatus by an optical transmission line without contact. The disadvantage of optical transmission of data, however, lies in the necessary visual contact between the transmitter and the receiver of the data, which requires a special arrangement of the transmitter and the receiver.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

The X-ray installation according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises in this embodiment an X-ray device 1 with a C-arm and a display unit 2.

The C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 comprises an equipment trolley 4 which can be moved by wheels 3, on which a lifting device 5 with struts 6, shown schematically in FIG. 1, is arranged. A holding member 7 is fixed to the column 6, and a holder 8 for supporting the C-arm 9 is disposed on the holding member 7. C-shaped arm 9
An X-ray source 10 and an X-ray receiver 11 for transmitting a conical X-ray beam are arranged to face each other. In this embodiment, the X-ray receiver 11 is a known X-ray image amplifier, to which a camera 12 is mounted in a known manner.

The C-shaped arm 9 extends along the periphery of the holder 8
(See double arrow a, orbital motion). Furthermore, this C-arm 9 can at least rock together with the holder 8 (see double arrow b, angular rotational movement).

In the case of this embodiment, the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 further includes a computer 13 known as data and other processing means. The energy supply of the C-arm X-ray device 1 takes place in this embodiment via an energy supply cable 14, which can be connected to an energy supply (not shown).

The display unit 2 of the X-ray equipment includes an equipment truck 16 movable by wheels 15, a computer 17 known as data and other processing means, and a monitor 18 connected to the computer 17 as a display device. I have. The display unit 2 can be connected by an energy supply cable 19 to a known energy supply not shown in FIG.

The C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 and the display unit 2 each have one console (not shown in FIG. 1) for operating the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 and the display unit 2. ing. When operating the X-ray equipment, the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 and the display unit 2 use, for example, X-rays obtained by the C-arm X-ray apparatus
The line images, possibly displayed on the monitor 18 after image processing by the computer 17, are transmitted to the display unit 2 or temporarily stored in the image memory 20 of the display unit 2 connected to the computer 17. Behave as if it were.

As mentioned at the outset, in the known C-arm X-ray apparatus, the equipment (for example, the X-ray source 10, the X-ray receiver 11, and the camera 12) arranged on the C-arm and the equipment unit case 4 Cables are provided for data transmission to and from devices (e.g., computer 13) located in the C-arm and for supplying energy to the devices located in the C-arm 9; It is realized by a complex cable module via a mechanical interface between the arm 8 and the C-arm 9.

In the case of an embodiment of the invention, the exchange of data and the supply of energy are carried out via this mechanical interface, the transmission of data and energy being contactless, but nevertheless continuous, ie a C-arm. This is also performed while the position 9 is relatively displaced with respect to the holder 8.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the data exchange between the computer 13, the X-ray source 10, the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 12 takes place via a signal carrier transmitting and receiving device. In this embodiment, for this purpose, a transmitting device 21 connected to the computer 13 and a receiving device 22 also connected to the computer 13 are fixed to the equipment trolley 4. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the C-arm 9 has a signal carrier transmitter 23 and a receiver 24 in the range of the X-ray source 10 and a signal carrier transmitter in the range of the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 12. 25 and the receiving device 26 are fixed. The transmitting device 23 and the receiving device 24 are connected to the X-ray source 10 by a method not shown, and the transmitting device 25 and the receiving device 26 are connected to the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 12 by a method not shown. With these transmitting and receiving devices, data can be transmitted contactlessly and continuously from the computer 13 to the X-ray source 10, X-ray receiver 11 and camera 12, and vice versa. It should be noted that only one transmitting device and one receiving device for data transmission are arranged on the C-arm 9, and the X-ray source 10, the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 12 are connected to this, and Enabling data transmission is also sufficient. The transmitting and receiving device can then be a known infrared transmitter and receiver or a known wireless transmitter and receiver.

X-ray source 10, X-ray receiver 11, and camera 1
The transmission of energy to the 2 via the mechanical interface between the holder 8 and the C-arm 9 takes place in the embodiment shown in FIG. For this purpose, in the case of this embodiment, the interior of the C-arm 9 is filled with a microwave transmission medium (which must be a transmission medium with a dipole) and the holder 8 together with the C-arm 9 The components that are relatively displaced are fixed. This part is arranged along the circumference of the C-arm 9. As this part, in the case of this embodiment,
An arch-shaped plastic tube 30 filled with water as a transmission medium. A known microwave oscillator 31 is arranged in the holder 8 at regular intervals with respect to the plastic tube 30. The oscillator is not shown, but is connected to an energy supply cable 14, a C-arm X-ray apparatus. One energy supply unit E is connected by a cable. This cable is guided to the microwave oscillator 1 arranged in the holder 8 via the lifting device 5 and the support member 7 in a known manner in that case. During operation of the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1, the microwave oscillator 31 sends microwaves to the plastic tube 30 filled with water, and the microwaves are supplied to the X-ray source 10 and the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 12 To the side again from the plastic tube 30. The emitted energy is finally used for supplying energy to the X-ray source 10, the X-ray receiver 11, and the camera 12.

Instead of a plastic tube 30 filled with water, a waveguide 30 'can be used for transmitting microwaves. In FIG. 1, this alternative is indicated by the dashed line reference 30 'for the waveguide. Waveguide 30 '
Then cooperates with the microwave oscillator 31 in the same way as for the plastic tube 30.

In this way, ie by using the transmitting and receiving devices for data transmission and the microwaves for energy transmission, the data and energy can be transferred contactlessly but nevertheless continuously. Via a mechanical interface between the C-arm 9 and the C-arm 9.

In this embodiment, the display unit 2 also includes a signal carrier transmitting device 40 and a receiving device 41 connected to the computer 17. The transmitting device 40 and the receiving device 41 are configured similarly to the transmitting and receiving devices of the C-arm X-ray device 1. That is, they are infrared transmitters and receivers, or wireless transmitters and receivers. Thus, between the computer 17 of the display unit 2 and the computer 13 of the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 and between the computer 17 of the display unit 2 and the X-ray source 10, the X-ray receiver 11, and the camera 12. Contactless data transmission is also possible. This contactless data transmission is used, in particular, to transmit an image signal generated by the camera 12 to the display unit 2, and the X-ray obtained by the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 is displayed on the monitor 18 of the display unit 2. Images can be displayed. But also other data (eg control data)
Can also be transmitted from the computer 13 or the computer 17 to the equipment of the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 attached to the C-arm 9.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the X-ray apparatus according to the present invention comprising a C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 ′ and a display unit 2. The equipment of C-arm X-ray device 1 '
Since the structure and function are at least substantially the same as those of the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the same symbols are used as in FIG. C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 'shown in FIG.
Is different from the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 in that the transmission of data and energy via the mechanical interface between the holder 8 and the C-arm 9 takes place inductively. . For this purpose, in the case of this embodiment, a coupling coil 50 having an arc shape and having a large number of turns is arranged inside the C-arm 9 and arranged together with the C-arm 9. It is displaced relatively to the holder 8. A second coupling coil 51 is disposed on the holder 8 at regular intervals with respect to the coupling coil 50. The second coupling coil 51 is formed in a C-shape by a cable guided through the lifting device 5 and the holding member 7 in a manner not shown. It is connected to the energy supply unit E of the arm X-ray apparatus 1 'and the computer 13. Although not shown, coupling coils electrically connected to the X-ray source 10, the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 12, respectively, are provided in the range of the X-ray source 10 and the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 12. Are located. The coupling coils 50, 51 allow the data and energy to be transmitted continuously in a contactless manner via a mechanical interface between the holder 8 and the C-arm 9, while the computers 13, X Source 1
0, the data transmission between the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 12, on the other hand, the X-ray source 10, the X-ray receiver 11 and the camera 1
2 can be performed continuously without contact. For the transmission of data and energy, a plurality of coupling coils are provided, ie at least one other coupling coil corresponding to the coupling coil 50 on the C-arm 9 and a coupling coil 51 for the holder 8. At least one other coupling coil is arranged, one pair of coupling coils for data transmission and the other pair of coupling coils for energy transmission. However, it is also possible to provide a plurality of data transmission lines and energy transmission lines, each having a pair of coupling coils.

As in the embodiment described in FIG.
Further, non-contact data transmission between the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 'and the display unit 2 is performed via the transmitting device 21 and the receiving device 22, and the transmitting device 40 and the receiving device 41.

Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the transmitting and receiving devices 23 to 26 do not necessarily have to be arranged on the C-arm 9, but rather on the X-ray source 10, X-ray receiver 11 or camera 12. They can also be placed. In addition, the transmitting device 21 and the receiving device 22 can also be attached to, for example, the holding member 7.

Furthermore, the plastic tube 30 or the waveguide 30 ′ need not necessarily be arranged on the C-arm 9, and the microwave oscillator 31 need not necessarily be arranged on the holder 8. Rather, the plastic tube 30 or waveguide 30 ′ is also external to the C-arm 9 and to the microwave oscillator 31.
Can also be arranged outside the holder 8. The same applies to the coupling coils 50 and 51 of the C-arm X-ray apparatus 1 '.

Furthermore, any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are conceivable. For example, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the energy transmission does not necessarily have to take place via microwaves, but can also take place inductively.
Furthermore, in the case of the second embodiment, neither the data transmission nor the energy transmission need be performed inductively via the mechanical interface.

In addition, it is not necessary for the X-ray equipment according to the present invention to have a means for transmitting data without contact and a means for transmitting energy without contact. Rather, only means for contactless transmission of data or contactless transmission of energy can be provided.

X-ray source 10. X-ray receiver 11 and camera 1
2. In addition to the above, other electrically driven devices are arranged on the C-arm to supply energy in a manner as described above, and other electrically-driven devices not arranged on the C-arm. You can also exchange data with

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of an X-ray installation according to the invention with a contactless transmission of data and energy.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a different embodiment of the X-ray installation according to the invention with contactless transmission of data and energy.

[Description of References] 1, 1 'C-arm X-ray device 2 Display unit 3 Wheel 4 Equipment unit case (equipment trolley) 5 Elevating device 6 Support 7 Holding member 8 Holder 9 C-arm 10 X-ray source 11 X-ray reception Device 12 Camera 13 Computer 14 Energy supply cable 15 Wheel 16 Equipment unit (Equipment trolley) 17 Computer 18 Monitor 19 Energy supply cable 20 Image memory 21 Transmitter 22 Receiver 23 Transmitter 24 Receiver 25 Transmitter 26 Receiver 30 Plastic tube 30 'Waveguide 31 Microwave oscillator 40 Transmitter 41 Receiver 50,51 Coupling coil a, b Displacement direction B Axis E Energy supply unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // H04N 7/18 H04N 7/18 L (72) Inventor Andreas Schulz Germany 91052 Erlangen Nuremberger Strasse 57 F term (reference) 4C093 AA01 CA16 CA32 EC59 5C054 AA02 AA07 BA10 CA02 CC01 CD03 CE04 CF01 DA04 DA05 DA07 EA03 HA12

Claims (19)

[Claims] At least one electrically driven device (10, 11, 12) arranged on a C-arm (9) displaceable relative to a holder (8), and a C-shape. Arm (9) or these devices (10,11,12) located on or in these devices (10,11,12)
2) the first data and / or energy transmission means (23-26, 30, 50) connected to the device unit case (8) connected to or in the holder (8) or to this holder (8); 4) or a second data and / or energy transmission means (21, 2) arranged therein.
C-arm X-ray apparatus (1, 2, 31, 51)
1 ′), the first data and / or energy transmission means (23-26, 30, 50) and the second data and / or
Or X-ray equipment in which data and / or energy is transmitted to and from the energy transmission means (21, 22, 31, 51) in a contactless manner and transmission of the data and / or energy is continuously performed. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second data transmission means are at least one transmitter (21, 23, 25) and / or at least one receiver (22, 24, 2) of the signal carrier.
The X-ray equipment according to claim 1, further comprising (6). 3. The X-ray equipment according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting device is an infrared transmitter and the receiving device is an infrared receiver. 4. The X-ray equipment according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting device is a wireless transmitter, and the receiving device is a wireless receiver. 5. The X-ray installation according to claim 1, wherein contactless transmission of data and / or energy is performed inductively. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second data and / or energy transmission means comprise at least one coupling coil.
The X-ray equipment according to claim 5, comprising (1). 7. The X-ray equipment according to claim 1, wherein the contactless transmission of energy is performed by microwaves. 8. The first energy transmission means comprises at least one component (30) having a microwave transmission medium, and the second energy transmission means cooperates with this component (30). X-ray installation according to claim 7, comprising an oscillator (31). 9. The X-ray installation according to claim 8, wherein the transmission medium comprises a dipole. 10. The X-ray equipment according to claim 8, wherein the transmission medium is water. 11. The X-ray installation according to claim 8, wherein the component is a plastic tube (30). 12. A microwave oscillator (31) wherein the first energy transmission means comprises at least one waveguide (30 ') and the second energy transmission means cooperates with said waveguide (30'). The X-ray facility according to claim 7, comprising: 13. The X-ray equipment according to claim 1, wherein the equipment unit case is an equipment trolley. 14. An X-ray source (10), an X-ray receiver (11) or a camera (12).
X-ray equipment according to one of the above. 15. Data processing means (16) and at least one
X-ray installation according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a second device unit (2) comprising two display devices (18). 16. A non-contact transmission means (21-26) for data of an X-ray apparatus (1, 1 ').
16. X-ray installation according to claim 15, further comprising contactless transmission means (40, 41) for data cooperating with (1). 17. The non-contact data transmission means (40, 41) of the second equipment unit (2) is at least one transmitter (40) and / or at least one receiver (41) of a signal carrier. The X-ray equipment according to claim 16. 18. The X-ray equipment according to claim 17, wherein the transmitting device is an infrared transmitter and the receiving device is an infrared receiver. 19. The X-ray equipment according to claim 17, wherein the transmitting device is a wireless transmitter and the receiving device is a wireless receiver.